At a recent meeting of German business and foreign-policy leaders, one participant summed up an anxiety thats almost palpable here: Europeans have a sense of being left alone. You Americans dont understand how much we need you.

Europeans seem relieved that Barack Obama won reelection. (One German official wrote in an informal paper that his victory was the best thing that could have happened to the U.S.) But Europeans remain worried that the Obama administrations famous pivot toward Asia will leave them abandoned at a time of severe internal economic and political trouble.

But a big idea is taking shape that could revitalize the U.S.-European partnership for the 21st century. It was the talk of Berlin and Hamburg when I was there a week ago, and theres a similar buzz in Washington. The idea is free trade -- specifically, a trans-Atlantic free-trade agreement -- which Ill optimistically call TAFTA.

...Clinton is said to envision an economic NATO -- a comprehensive agreement covering trade in goods, services, investment and agriculture. Indeed, a joint working group of U.S. and E.U. officials is about to release a final report arguing for such a comprehensive deal.

A “Free Trade” deal with Europe would effectively eliminate the US. The “Free Trade” deals with other countries have pretty much wrecked the US economy....and one with Europe would just mean America and Americans get screwed more

Why people insist on continuing failed 20th Century Keynesian Economics (Keynes policies started this modern “Free Trade” era) is insane.

There is an enormous amount of hostility toward pretty much any idea expressed by anyone here at any time, but the anti-free trade seems like the most puzzling — tariffs? No! That’s a tax! Tax breaks for more domestic energy production? No! That’s a subsidy! More open markets? No!

14
posted on 12/09/2012 5:37:50 PM PST
by SunkenCiv
(In this context, the problem with them is, they're followers of Pitchfork Pat.)

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